We know parenthood is tough. It’s even tougher when you’re the dad of a tween or teen daughter. Here are some rules for a healthy relationship between a teenage daughter and her dad.

Love her mom

It is likely that when your daughter grows up she’ll fall in love with and marry a man who treats her just the way you treat her mother. She notices how you treat her mother. If you treat your better half with respect, honor and several public displays of affection, odds are that she will fall in love with a man who appreciates her just the way you appreciate her mom.

Be there for her psychically and emotionally

Quality time doesn’t happen without quantity time. Hang out together, not just be in each other’s presence. Be involved in her life. Make her feel like you care for everything that is important to her. Be there for her at every stage of life.

Save the day

She’ll want to look up to someone and you should be her first hero. She’ll want you to come to her rescue again and again throughout her life. Always be the one who saved the day.

Cherish every moment you have with your daughter

Today she’s running after butterflies and tomorrow you’ll be handing her the car keys and before you know it you’ll be walking her down the aisle. Be a good father to a teenage daughter. Savor every moment you have with your daughter. Don’t just watch her add years to life, instead add life to her years.

Pray for her

Pray for her regularly, passionately and continuously.

Get her gloves and teach her how to throw baseball

Teach her how to throw a baseball and teach her well. Make her proud of herself and of the fact that she can throw well.

Choose sides wisely

She is sure to fight with her mother. Choose on whose side you are very wisely. Even if you don’t agree with her, make sure you explain where she is wrong.

There will come a day when she will ask for a puppy

When she does don’t hesitate. Don’t over-think. Just say yes. She deserves this at least once in her life.

It’s never too early to start teaching her about money

She’ll still probably suck you dry in her teens and on her wedding day but they’ll thank you for it later on in life.